Psalm 22
There are around ten psalms classed as Messianic in that they contain prophecies concerning Jesus’ life, ministry or crucifixion.
Psalm
22
is
probably
the
most
well
known
as
it
describes
with
remarkable
accuracy
aspects
of
Jesus’
crucifixion,
centuries
before
this horrific method of execution was invented.
This was written by David, the subject matter being suffering and salvation.
What follows are the prophetic verses with some comments.
Verse 1: My God, my God, why have You forsaken me....
These are the words cried out by Jesus on the cross.
Matt
27:46
And
about
the
ninth
hour,
Jesus
cried
with
a
loud
voice,
saying,
Eli,
Eli,
lama
sabachthani?
That
is,
My
God,
My
God, why have You forsaken me?
Mk
15:34
And
at
the
ninth
hour
Jesus
cried
with
a
loud
voice,
saying,
Eloi,
Eloi,
lama
sabachthani?
(which
being
translated
is,
My God, My God, why did You forsake Me?)
Verses
7
&
8:
All
who
see
Me
mock
me;
they
shoot
out
the
lip;
they shake the head, saying,
He
trusted
on
Jehovah;
let
Him
deliver
Him;
let
Him
rescue
Him, since He delights in Him!
These
verses
describe
the
abuse
Jesus
received
whilst
hanging
on the cross, reflected in rthe following:
Mat
27:41-44
And
in
the
same
way
also
the
chief
priests
mocked,
with
the
scribes
and
elders,
saying,
42
He
saved
others,
but
he
cannot
save
himself.
If
he
is
the
King
of
Israel,
let
him
now
come
down
from
the
cross,
and
we
will
believe
him. 43
He
trusted
in
God,
let
Him
deliver
Him
now,
if
He
will
have
Him.
(For
He
said,
I
am
the
Son
of
God.)
44
And
also
the
thieves
who
were
crucified
with
Him
reviled
Him,
saying
the
same.
Mar
15:29-32
And
those
who
passed
by
blasphemed
Him,
wagging
their
heads
and
saying,
Aha!
You
razing
the
temple
and
building
it
in
three
days,
30
save
yourself
and
come
down
from
the
cross! 31
And
also
the
chief
priests
mocking,
with
the
scribes,
said
to
one
another,
He
saved
others
but
he
cannot
save
himself. 32
Let
Christ
the
King
of
Israel
now
come
down
from
the
cross,
so
that
we
may
see
and
believe.
And
they
who
were crucified with Him insulted Him.
Lk
23:35-37
And
the
people
stood
watching.
And
also
the
rulers
with
them,
scoffing,
saying,
He
saved
others,
let
Him
save
Himself,
if
He
is
the
Christ,
the
chosen
of
God.
36
And
coming
near,
the
soldiers
also
mocked
Him,
and
offering
Him
sour
wine,
37
and
saying,
If
You
are
the
king
of
the
Jews,
save Yourself.
Verses
14-17
I
am
poured
out
like
water,
and
all
My
bones
are
spread
apart;
My
heart
is
like
wax;
it
is
melted
in
the
midst
of
My
bowels.
15
My
strength
is
dried
up
like
a
potsherd,
and
My
tongue
clings
to
My
jaws;
16
and
You
have
brought
Me
into
the
dust
of
death.
For
dogs
have
circled
around
Me;
the
band
of
spoilers
have
hemmed
Me
in,
piercers
of
My
hands
and
My
feet. 17 I can count all My bones; they look and stare at Me.
These verses describe the agony on the cross.
The
agony
of
crucifixion
is
well
documented,
but
scarcely
mentioned in the Gospels, Thomas’ doubt being an example:
Jn
20:25
The
other
disciples
therefore
said
to
him,
We
have
seen
the
Lord.
But
he
[Thomas]
said
to
them,
Unless
I
shall
see
the
print
of
the
nails
in
His
hands,
and
put
my
finger
into
the
print
of
the
nails,
and
thrust
my
hand
into
His
side,
I
will
not believe.
Verse
18
They
divide
My
garments
among
them
and
cast
lots
for My clothing.
This
verse
describes
the
dividing
of,
and
casting
lots
for,
Jesus’
garments, reported in all four Gospels.
Matt
27:35
And
they
crucified
Him,
dividing
His
garments,
casting
a
lot;
so
that
it
might
be
fulfilled
which
was
spoken
by
the
prophet,
"They
parted
My
garments
among
them,
and
they
cast a lot for My clothing."
Mk
15:24
And
when
they
had
crucified
Him,
they
divided
His
garments, casting lots on them, as, to what each should take.
Lk
23:34
And
Jesus
said,
Father,
forgive
them,
for
they
do
not
know what they do. And parting His clothing, they cast lots.
Jn
19:24;
Therefore
they
said
among
themselves,
Let
us
not
tear
it,
but
cast
lots
for
it
to
find
whose
it
shall
be
(that
the
Scripture
might
be
fulfilled
which
says,
"They
parted
my
garments
among
them,
and
for
my
garment
they
cast
lots").
Therefore the soldiers did these things.
Finally, verses 19-21
But
You,
O
Jehovah,
be
not
far
from
Me;
O
My
strength,
hurry
to
help
Me!
20
Deliver
My
soul
from
the
sword,
My
only
one
from
the
dog's
hand.
21
Save
Me
from
the
lion's
mouth;
from
the
wild
oxen's
horns.
You
have
answered Me.
Verses 19-21 speak of deliverance.
Verses
12
&
13
are
‘column’
references
where
ferocious
bulls
and lions are mentioned, representing the dangers faced:
12
Many
bulls
have
circled
around
Me;
strong
bulls
Of
Bashan
have surrounded Me.
13
They
opened
wide
their
mouths
on
Me,
like
a
ripping
and
a
roaring lion.